WNBA star Sophie Cunningham's player-exclusive Adidas shoe, the Crazy Energy "Sophie Cunningham" PE, sold out in less than an hour after its release on Friday morning. The pink gradient colorway was available for a retail price of $120.
Cunningham announced the release with a video on social media, showing herself in a van filled with the sneakers, captioned, "today's the day. who's ready for the drop?" The post garnered over half a million views across Instagram and X within its first three hours.
The rapid sell-out demonstrates Cunningham's significant marketability, positioning her as a notable figure in the sports merchandise landscape. She has been vocal on social media platforms, sharing her views on protecting women's sports and its implications for female athletes. These statements have drawn both support and criticism.
Cunningham's success with her signature shoe follows a trend of increasing commercial opportunities for WNBA players, particularly those who have gained significant media attention. This development places her among a select group of players, such as Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, and A'ja Wilson, who have secured shoe deals.
In comparison, Caitlin Clark's first signature Nike basketball shoe, the Nike Caitlin 1 "Snow White," is scheduled for release on October 1, 2026. Nike officially announced Clark's signature apparel collection on June 17, 2026. Previously, Clark had been waiting almost three full seasons for a signature shoe release.
